K-State Research and Extension News Media Services

K-State beef cattle specialist Dale Blasi covers an assortment of management considerations for cow-calf producers as we head into the latter stages of the summer...including mineral supplementation and fly control.

Striving for an enhanced fishing experience, some farm pond owners are interested in providing supplemental feed to their large-mouth bass. One should be strategic in how they go about that, according to K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee. Commercial fish producers often use pelleted feed to grow bass. That approach may not work as well in a farm pond setting, as Charlie discusses this week.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now taking public comment on a proposal to remove the eastern cougar from the endangered species list. However, this proposed action is not a result of a successful species recovery…quite the opposite. K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee discusses the situation, which he says does nothing for the already-spotty track record of the Endangered Species Act.

K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee looks at a new proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the eastern cougar from the endangered species list...a move which he says speaks to the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act itself.

In recent years, black-footed ferrets have been introduced as a potential biological control of prairie dogs. Rabbits tend to also frequent prairie dog dens for protection, especially from coyotes. That raised a question with researchers: will coyotes, as they pursue rabbits, also feed on black-footed ferrets in and around prairie dog colonies? This week, K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee talks about a study that addressed that question.

K-State Research and Extension wildlife specialist Charlie Lee speaks on a recent species study that involved examining coyote predation in relation to prairie dogs, rabbits and the endangered black-footed ferret.

Millions of birds are killed each year in roadway vehicle collisions. A recent study set out to measure the reaction time of birds to oncoming vehicles. And the results indicated that vehicle speed is, indeed, a major factor. K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee reviews the findings of this study and its implications.

Tiny as it is, the zebra mussel has become a colossal invasive species problem in numerous Kansas water resources. Since it made its way into this region two decades ago, this prolific mussel has disrupted aquatic ecosystems and cause millions of dollars of damage to water-handling facilities. And while solutions remain difficult to come by, boaters and other recreational water enthusiasts can all do their part to curb the spread of zebra mussels, as K-State wildlife management specialist Charlie Lee discusses this week.

For a number of years now, white perch have posed a problem in water impoundments in Kansas. And wildlife officials are asking all outdoor enthusiasts to do their part in combatting this nuisance species. This week, K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee talks about the nature of white perch and the disruption they cause to the aquatic ecosystem.

If you want to eat the perfect biscuit, grab it straight from the oven,
smother it in butter and drizzle some honey over the top. Groomed like
that, one biscuit calls for one more. The ingredient that seems to make
it complete is the honey, made possible by honeybees.
6/16/2015 8:00:00 AM

The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s move to protect the Kansas
poultry industry from avian flu by issuing a stop movement order was an
important biosecurity step, but it means more than 2,000 Kansas 4-H
members will have to be creative with how they complete their poultry
projects.

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency released its final rule on the so-called Waters of the United States regulations. These have been a lightning rod for controversy for several months, and the final version still requires some interpretation, as to how it will impact wildlife resources as well as agricultural operations. That’s according to K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee, who comments on the new rule this week.

K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee takes a look at the just-announced final rule from the EPA on the Waters of the United States regulations, and what it means to wildlife habitat and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as to agricultural producers.

Sand sage has been a long-standing weed problem in High Plains grasslands. And over the years, the herbicide 2,4-D has been used for sage control. A recent study in Oklahoma evaluated those control efforts and their impact on the habitat of the lesser prairie chicken, which is now listed as a threatened species. K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee reports on this research and its findings.

One of the reasons why some homeowners like to install backyard ponds as part of their landscape is that the fish they can raise in those ponds, koi and goldfish, require fairly low maintenance. This week, K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee talks about the management requirements of these colorful fish, which often ascend to “pet” status with their owners.

Grass carp and tilapia are two fish species that will feed vigorously on aquatic plants in farm ponds. But they are by no means a panacea for pond weed problems, as K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee points out this week. He talks about the attributes, and the shortcomings, associated with using fish as a biological control method for excessive pond weed growth.

The barred owl is a commonly-found raptor in Kansas, largely preferring the rural riparian areas. However, wildlife experts have been closely watching the impact of urban encroachment on this bird’s habitat. And aligned with that, a new study out of Canada measured how much rodenticide that these owls have been ingesting, when feeding on rodents. K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee reviews that research this week.

Following the drought and dust storms of the 1930s, the federal
government’s response was to invest $13.8 million to plant over 200
million trees and shrubs throughout the Great Plains. These plantings
were initially established to reduce windblown soil, but research
suggests that there is an additional benefit that would surprise many
agricultural producers. Windbreaks may increase crop yields.
11/21/2013 8:00:00 AM

SALINA, Kan. -- To a degree, attracting birds to a backyard feeder requires giving them what they most prefer. That can be complicated, because different kinds of birds prefer different types of food.
1/15/2009 8:00:00 AM